Ram Mandir: 8000 police personnel deployed for crowd management as devotees throng temple premises

Security beefed up at Ayodhya Ram Mandir. File pic/PTI

The security in and around the newly inaugurated Ayodhya Ram Mandir has been beefed up considering the high number of devotees thronging the temple for offering prayers. Security forces including Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Uttar Pradesh police are present at the temple premises. The Pran Pratistha of Lord Ram was done on Monday, January 22 and the temple was open to public for 'darshan' from Tuesday, January 23.

Director General of Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said, "Around 8000 police personnel are present in and around the temple. CRPF, SSF and other police officials will be deployed inside the temple. There will be changes made in the deployment outside the temple depending on the situation", he informed.

"All arrangements are being made so that if a large number of devotees come together, they won't face any inconvenience. Whether 50 thousand devotees come together or any other number, they won't have to wait, and all necessary facilities will be in place," the DG Police added.

Prashant Kumar also said that, "People have gathered here in huge numbers. Principal Home Secretary and I have been sent here. We have improved the queue system for crowd management."

Security is deployed outside Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi Temple.

Uttar Pradesh RAF Deputy Commandant Arun Kumar Tiwari said, "We will ensure that the devotees do not face any difficulty. Around 1000 jawans have been deployed inside and outside the temple. This deployment will continue for the next few days."

As the temple opened for visitors, around 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh devotees have offered prayers to Lord Ram in Ayodhya Ram Mandir on Tuesday. Similar number of devotees are expected to visit on Wednesday too.

With the influx of a large number of devotees to Ayodhya Ram Mandir on the third day of Pran Pratishtha, UP Principal Secretary, Home, Sanjay Prasad and DG Law and Order, Prashant Kumar are present inside the 'Garbha Griha' of the temple, to monitor the orderly movement of devotees, ANI reported.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi adityanath has appealed for patience and cooperation from the devotees coming from different parts of the country. The CM also reached the Ram Mandir premises to take look at safety and security arrangements to ensure any inconvenience to the visitors.

(With ANI inputs)